Coloccini is understood to be experiencing family problems, with his wife suffering from ill health.

The defender, picked for the PFA team of the year last season, has explained his feelings to boss Alan Pardew and is apologetic about his desire to move.

Newcastle will hold a summit next week involving owner Mike Ashley, MD Derek Llambias, Coloccini and his representatives to discuss a way ahead.

But with Newcastle’s Premier League status in peril - they enter the weekend just two points above the drop zone - the club could decide it is too big a risk to let their leading light go when there are tens of millions of pounds of TV income at stake.

On the other hand, they may find they have little choice but to let Coloccini walk away on compassionate grounds.

The defender, discussing his future last year, said: “Sometimes it is not about the money you are paid, it is about the love of people.”

Coloccini has brought up his children Octavia, eight, and Thiago, five, on Tyneside since arriving in 2008, and the current situation is putting a strain on his family.

Dad Osvaldo said his son is “desperate” to move.

Newcastle paid £10m for Coloccini and San Lorenzo are unlikely to be able to afford the sort of hefty fee they would want to sell him.

Losing their best defender would be a disaster for Newcastle, coming just a week after top scorer Demba Ba was sold to Chelsea.

They are on a miserable run of 11 defeats in their last 14 games.

They now travel to Carrow Road face their former boss Chris Hughton, who was credited with quelling years of turmoil during his successful spell as Toon manager.

Pardew’s side are now in a relegation battle similar to their last troubled season in 2008-09, and will need major reinforcements this month to boost the squad if Coloccini leaves.

At least midfielder Sylvain Marveaux is happier on Tyneside, after finally securing regular first team action.

Marveaux admitted he came close to quitting Newcastle.

He said: “I like the place, but there was a time when I was thinking about moving on to find a solution for me to play because I was feeling good and fit but I was not being picked.

“I was never thinking it was the wrong move because I have always felt good at this club.

“From a personal view, it is much better for me now. I just want to play regularly and be good on the pitch.

“If I am no good, then I won’t play and that is okay, but I just wanted to get my chance.

"I feel I deserved it, and now I feel I deserve to be in the team and stay there.”

* NORWICH are going to the dogs – with strikers Grant Holt and Steve Morison starting their own greyhound racing club.

And the Canaries squad will be heading off to Great Yarmouth Stadium for a night of betting and bonding after their clash with Newcastle.

Morison, who co-owns seven greyhounds with Holt, was a regular at Walthamstow Stadium while playing for Millwall.

“There’s nothing like the ­adrenaline surge you get watching your own dog compete,” he said.

Morison and Holt both grabbed goals in Norwich's 4-2 home win over Newcastle last season.

But Morison is sidelined by injury for this weekend's repeat of that fixture, while Holt faces a late test on a hamstring strain.